Think of a cat, a cat in a hat, who befriends a Who boy right off the bat. And think of an elephant laughed at by all, for his stark defence of a world so small ... Oh the thinks you can think!

The cast of St. Thomas Aquinas explored a world of whimsy and imagination with their spirited production of Seussical-TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences).

An adaptation of the original Broadway musical, Seussical is a combination of Dr. Seuss stories that chronicle the journey of young Jo Jo (Don Bartlett), an inquiring lad discouraged from thinking great Thinks by his fellow inhabitants of Who. Jo Jo’s plight is paralleled by Horton (Phillipe Morgadinho), a sensitive elephant ostracized by the other jungle animals for his stark defence of the planet Who, which is smaller than a dust speck. Horton champions Jo Jo and his fellow Whos’ existence in spite of others best efforts to discredit him. With some help from his faithful friend Gertrude McFuzz (Jackie Fisher), Horton is able to prove “a person’s a person no matter how small.”

Seussical found strength in its ensemble work. From the vigour of the lovable Who citizens to the spunk of the Wickersham brothers, the actors drew on their company’s energy to create a lively atmosphere. The bird girls’ melodic voices added dimension to musical numbers and the flowing movements of the jungle animals created an elegant physicality that embodied the artistic message of the production.

As Horton, Phillipe Morgadinho showcased the compassion of his character for the plight of the Whos. His empathy was authentic and he stayed committed to his character throughout major musical numbers such as Alone in the Universe, a duet with Jo Jo. Bartlett’s Jo Jo was full of youthful vigour and imagination. His voice added strength to group pieces, yet stood alone in solos and duets.

Audience interaction was engaged for maximum effect by Sahara Adams (Cat in the Hat). Her Cat wore many hats including that of an auctioneer, resulting in smiles and giggles. Rebecca Considine was endearing as Mrs. Mayor, and her ever-present smile and motherly qualities steadied and guided familial scenes. She seemed as invested in the well-being of Who as her husband (Brodie Ukrainec).

Kinsey Hamilton’s choreography was celebrated in two ways: through the simpler, yet masterful group numbers as well as the more intricate, artistic dances of the jungle animals. The choreography lent a professional veneer to the musical that helped to mask some of the less authoritative technical aspects. The movements of the jungle animal ensemble in Solla Sollew complemented the emotion of the music to create a chilling atmosphere.

Dr. Seuss’s universal lessons regarding the worth and potential of all people still prove valuable today. St. Thomas Aquinas adeptly handled Horton’s tale of devotion to the well-being of others, and presented a performance self-assured in nature and message. They showed that when one truly believes in oneself, anything is possible.

Cappies review #2

Elena Nykolaychu

St. Joseph High School

An elephant who vows to protect a microscopic town while simultaneously guarding an egg, and in doing so is auctioned off to the circus? Oh, the things you can think when you think about Seuss! In their recent production of Seussical, the students of St. Thomas Aquinas told the music-stuffed and whimsy-filled tale of Horton the elephant’s extraordinary journey.

Written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, Seussical is a lively combination of the beloved Dr. Seuss’s most recognizable tales. At the centre is Horton, an elephant who must stand up for what he believes in when the microscopic Whoville seeks his help. In the midst of this endeavour, Horton is entrusted with an egg, is auctioned off to the circus, and is even put on trial. Through Horton’s adventure, Seussical gives a nod to the strength of the heart.

St. Thomas Aquinas delivered a pleasant performance. Not only was the cast endearing, but it was also able to draw a range of emotions from the audience. Giggles were stitched into songs such as Amazing Gertrude, while the heartfelt Alone in the Universe balanced these laughs as a sort of magical tear-jerker. Though energy faltered during the first act, the cast welcomed the last half with an undeniable surge of enthusiasm and finesse.

As the gentle Horton the elephant, Phillipe Morgadinho was sweetly magnetic both in his mannerisms and singing voice; a handsome sound that intertwined beautifully with others during duets. Jackie Fisher demonstrated marvellously consistent characterization in her vocals as Horton’s eventual love interest, Gertrude McFuzz. Her facial expressions added a certain sparkle to her feathered character.

The remaining cast of Seussical radiated charm and pizzazz. The ensemble generally pulled together nicely. As JoJo, Don Bartlett provided a crisp and clean vocal style, while Taylee Sorge handled her character with know-how, carefully sculpting the scarlet bird into a frightfully sassy and conceited character. As the insensitive and hostile Sour Kangaroo, Lindsey Miller was a delicious villain in a glittering purple getup. Finally, Sahara Adams as the Cat in the Hat was perfectly splendid as a humorous audience-pleaser. Adams harvested laughter every time she pranced around in her striped hat and painted whiskers.

The technical aspects of Seussical were integral in drawing the audience into Dr. Seuss’s chimerical world. The simple set with a vivid colour palette worked perfectly for Seussical; its two-dimensional feel stayed true to Dr. Seuss’s beloved books. The set became especially magical for the musical number, It’s Possible, when black-lights illuminated colourful swimming fish and floating bubbles. Both the makeup and costuming were simple yet effective, while the lighting was purposeful in its design.

Despite a few hiccups, St. Thomas Aquinas brought an abundance of joy and lighthearted fun to its rendition of Seussical. With an admirable amount of flair, fancy, and especially heart, St. Thomas Aquinas illustrated splendidly the beauty of friendship, imagination, and loyalty.

Cappies review #3

Sarah Dussome

Louis St. Laurent High School

From the very first moment that a bright-eyed, enthusiastic boy in a striped T-shirt clambered effervescently onto the stage, the audience was enveloped in the endearing and innocent world of make-believe. St. Thomas Aquinas’s opening performance of Seussical brimmed with a whirl of colour from the energetic ensemble, a large array of tangible emotion, and scenes which evoked smiles from the audience.

Written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, Seussical is a lively combination of Dr. Seuss’s beloved children’s tales. The musical debuted on Broadway in 2000 and has since become a hit with audiences of all ages. Seussical follows the tale of compassionate elephant Horton (Phillipe Morgadinho), who, despite ridicule from his fellow animals, is determined to care for the puffy pink plant which contains the miniscule world of Whoville. The show weaves together the tales of Horton and the jungle animals with those of Jo Jo (Don Bartlett), his cunning playmate, the Cat in the Hat (Sahara Adams), and the rest of the Whos residing in miniscule Whoville. Other memorable characters included the demure and wistful Gertrude (Jackie Fisher), pretentious Mazie (Taylee Sorge), and the mischievous Wickershams (Tanner Watmough, Scott Muyser, Hannah Semotiuk, and Stephen Noble).

Throughout the performance, the principal characters of Jo Jo and Horton wowed the audience with their clear and well characterized voices. Their heartfelt duet, Alone in the Universe, was among the standout musical numbers of the show. Jackie Fisher brought the quirky character of Gertrude to life, particularly in the touching Notice Me Horton, where she gave voice to her feelings about the kind-hearted elephant. Taylee Sorge dominated the stage as her distinct character Mazie with powerful stage presence and vocals. As the frivolous narrator of the show, Sahara Adams engaged the audience with her comedic timing and excellent character portrayal as The Cat in the Hat. The Wickershams, a group of boisterous monkeys that were up to no good, were also entertaining to watch.

The creatively designed set portrayed everything from the untameable Jungle of Nool to a crowded courtroom. It evoked a round of murmured awe from the audience during It's Possible, when complete darkness pervaded the stage and black light allowed the set to glow with drawings of undersea creatures.

Seussical proved to be a lively escape from reality, full of singing and dancing and woven of pure, delightful fun.

Cappies review #4

Rebecca Goss

Strathcona High School

Oh the things you can think, when you think of a musical like St. Thomas Aquinas’s performance of Seussical. Seuss’s stories sprang forth as the tales unfurled, an eccentric plot in a peculiar world.

Seussical, a compilation of the legendary Dr. Seuss’s greatest works, springs to life with bright colours, upbeat songs and snappy lyrics. Seussical creates a nonsensical nostalgia enjoyed by all. When Horton the elephant (Phillipe Morgadinho) discovers a doomed world living on a tiny speck, he vows to save it from harm. Unfortunately, the other jungle animals have different plans and Horton must summon all of his faith, courage and loyalty to save the miniature world of Whoville.

Morgadinho’s smooth voice and powerful presence filled the stage. He exuded confidence and tugged the audience’s hearts with his lovable character. Morgadinho’s voice harmonized beautifully with Don Bartlett’s (Jo Jo) during their duet of Alone in the Universe. Bartlett’s endless energy never wavered, quickly making him an audience favourite. As Gertrude, Jackie Fisher played her quirky character perfectly. Fisher’s comfort on stage was apparent and her playfulness was exemplified by her awkwardly timid attempts at impressing her love interest, Horton. Taylee Sorge played Mazie the Bird with sass and pizzazz. As the performance unfolded, her energy and confidence skyrocketed. Playing the iconic Cat in the Hat was Sahara Adams. Adams’s interactions with the audience were both energetic and comedic. Her witty lines and exuberant character guided the story in her role as narrator. The Wickershams (Tanner Watmough, Scott Muyser, Hannah Semotiuk, and Stephen Noble) ignited the stage with their ferocious energy and bold physical movements. Their lively, animated, and spirited actions drew all eyes to them.

The energy in the theatre exploded when the entire cast appeared on stage. They played off each other well, and their confidence and enthusiasm increased as the show progressed. Although the tempo was occasionally off at the top of the show, the cast found their stride by the second act. Choreography by Kinsey Hamilton was simple, creative and playful. Hamilton’s choreography matched the style of the show perfectly.

The lights, abundant in colour, were the work of Jonathan Stach. Stach’s lighting was seamless and never missed a cue. Although usually a daunting task for most high school productions, the moving spotlight was operated perfectly. The use of the black light in the song It’s Possible was both unexpected and whimsical. Hair and makeup designed by Shelbie Binks and Sahara Adams were eccentric and imaginative, adding to the quirkiness of the show. Transitions from scene to scene were smooth and discreet, which enhanced the magic and polish of the show.

Performing with energy, gusto and grace, the cast had fun and set a great pace. They meant what they sang, and they sang what they meant; Aquinas’s Seussical was 100 per cent!

Cappies review #5

Kataryna Nykolaychuk

St. Joseph High School

“Now that is a very unusual hat, I wonder what’s under a hat such as that. It could be a creature they call a Ga-Zat, who balances things on his head ‘cause it’s flat. Or a stripe-loving Pipester from Upper Mount Bat. Or a sort of a kind of a hat wearing cat!”

With energy and a certain eye for the eccentric, St. Thomas Aquinas performed Seussical and made the entire audience feel like they were kids again.

A strange elephant named Horton in the Jungle of Nool hears a voice coming from a speck of dust and is mocked by the rest of the jungle and dubbed “the biggest plain fool in the Jungle of Nool.” However, on that speck of dust is a place called Whoville, and in Whoville a kid named Jo Jo is being criticized for thinking. Both Horton and Jo Jo are in sticky situations for being out of the ordinary. The power of friendship and loyalty helps Horton and Jo Jo save the Whos and shows them they are not so “alone in the universe” after all. The wonderful imagination of Dr. Seuss is shown in the play and also in many different characters and places in the musical.

This entire cast was entertaining and high-energy, which is necessary in a play like Seussical. The characters whimsically floated across the stage in their various imaginative costumes, giving the audience the feeling of being in a child’s imagination.

Horton, played by Phillipe Morgadinho, warmed the hearts of the audience as he fought to protect the Whos against the rest of the jungle. His voice was wonderful, and mixed well with the fabulous voice of Jo Jo, played by Don Bartlett. Together, they were talented at making the audience believe that they were from different worlds, even though they were standing next to each other. Jackie Fisher portrayed a wonderful Gertude, and kept true to her character.

The Cat in the Hat, played by Sahara Adams, helped narrate the story with a touch of comedy. Mazie, played by Taylee Sorge, had a wonderful voice, and brought attitude and glamour to her character. Jo Jo, played by Don Bartlett, dared to think and be different from the other Whos. The Whos were charming and adorable, and were talented at making the audience believe they were from a far different place than the Jungle of Nool.

The costumes were imaginative and lovely to look at, and complemented the eccentric hairstyles of the Whos. The makeup was fantastic, particularly for animal characters like the Wickershams and the jungle animals. The stage crew was subtle and did the set changes discreetly.

Kudos to St. Thomas Aquinas for a great production of Seussical.

“Oh the things you can think when you think about Seuss.”

The Journal and 25 area high schools are participating in the Cappies, a Washington, D.C.-based program that uses high school critics to review high school theatre.

The 12th show of the season was Seussical performed by students at St. Thomas Aquinas High School on Feb. 23.

The critic discussions were mentored by Dustin Maloney and Katy Tadman of Archbishop Jordan High School.

The reviews were edited and selected for publication by teachers who could see only the reviews, not the names or the schools of the reviewers.

Awards for actors, those behind the scenes and critics will be presented at a celebration at the Citadel Theatre in June.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.